Making Money

[vajrahorizon]

As someone whose had an off and on approach to the Dharma over the years I'm wanting to take refuge in the relatively near future when I find a group that really resonates with me.

Over the years I've had a lot of poverty consciousness and depression due to some pretty intense things happening when I was young, my father committed suicide and I was street kid. I really want to make some money but have a decent life as well which involves making some money. What are the approaches of Buddhists to accumulating wealth as a layperson? Are there limits?

Also so another question... how does one contend with loneliness, isolation guilt and regret?

VH

[Konchog1]

As someone whose had an off and on approach to the Dharma over the years I'm wanting to take refuge in the relatively near future when I find a group that really resonates with me.

Over the years I've had a lot of poverty consciousness and depression due to some pretty intense things happening when I was young, my father committed suicide and I was street kid. I really want to make some money but have a decent life as well which involves making some money. What are the approaches of Buddhists to accumulating wealth as a layperson? Are there limits?

Don't harm beings. This includes selling meat.

Also so another question... how does one contend with loneliness, isolation guilt and regret?

Bodhicitta towards yourself and Tonglen towards others (To improve your self-esteem and stop focusing on yourself respectively).

[waimengwan]

As someone whose had an off and on approach to the Dharma over the years I'm wanting to take refuge in the relatively near future when I find a group that really resonates with me.

Over the years I've had a lot of poverty consciousness and depression due to some pretty intense things happening when I was young, my father committed suicide and I was street kid. I really want to make some money but have a decent life as well which involves making some money. What are the approaches of Buddhists to accumulating wealth as a layperson? Are there limits?

Work hard and be generous, generosity creates the causes for wealth. Lama Atisha made wealth vases to attract the resources for dharma perhaps you can consider getting one to improve your financial situation.

Also so another question... how does one contend with loneliness, isolation guilt and regret?

Loneliness is can either be we have not done what is necessary not to be lonely, we do not have what it takes to attract partners or lack of effort. Also we feel lonely when we are not able to face ourselves when we are alone.

Guilt just stops there it does not help us or the situation. Normally we would regret a negative action, regret is part of the four opponent powers that we apply when we are doing purification. Regret alone is limited when we do purification with the 4 opponent powers this really helps us. http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-ri ... cript.html

I can recommend some books, message me and I will share some books i think might help you.

[kirtu]

What are the approaches of Buddhists to accumulating wealth as a layperson? Are there limits?

Yes, don't violate the precepts (so don't kill people, steal, indulge in negative sexual behaviour, take intoxicants (or deal in them), or speak harshly or tell lies).

So most people would say that being a hired killer or a porn star are out of bounds (although I knew a Gay porn star who was serious in his mind and heart about his Buddhism).

A lot of other people would say that working in a slaughter house or entering the military is also out of bounds. Sometimes in the Asian American community there are businesspeople who have to work with some rather unsavoury people (think, stories of the Mafia and other organized crime). The real world and real circumstances intrude upon our lives. Nonetheless people can usually follow the basic precepts in their work.

So some of the highest paying work is in the financial industry or related to it. That can also be financially precarious until a certain level and even then one can be "let go".

The most certain way to accumulate wealth is to invest carefully over at least a 20 year period. Please read Dr. Jeremy Siegel's "Stocks in the Long Run" (or maybe it's Stocks for the Long Run). If you invest in the stock market over a minimum 20 year period and are disciplined and invest regularly, then this offsets downturns and takes advantages of random and relatively unpredictable increases in stock prices. As with everything the devil is in the details. Nikolas Nassim Taleb, one of Benoit Mandlebrot's protege's, has made millions of dollars in taking advantage of black swan (highly unexpected and difficult to predict) events. He is also a financial mathematician with a deep understanding of randomness and some unique views of probability and statistics which is why he isn't gambling (because with anyone else this really would just be gambling). So if and only if you gain very deep insight into the movements of the stock market should you depart from Siegel's strategies (or you might risk some of your investment and invest with Taleb).

The other thing is to create a service or technology or invention that a specific niche needs and will pay you for. Most people who don't otherwise inherit their money become financially comfortable this way.

Kirt

[SSJ3Gogeta]

As someone whose had an off and on approach to the Dharma over the years I'm wanting to take refuge in the relatively near future when I find a group that really resonates with me.

Refuge you can say verbally on your own.

[Kaji]

The Buddha has taught us the Noble Eightfold Path, one of the eight is (copied shamelessly from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eigh ... livelihood ):

Right livelihood

Right livelihood (samyag-ājīva / sammā-ājīva). This means that practitioners ought not to engage in trades or occupations which, either directly or indirectly, result in harm for other living beings. In the Chinese and Pali Canon, it is explained thus:

And what is right livelihood? There is the case where a disciple of the noble ones, having abandoned dishonest livelihood, keeps his life going with right livelihood: This is called right livelihood.

More concretely today interpretations include "work and career need to be integrated into life as a Buddhist," it is also an ethical livelihood, "wealth obtained through rightful means" (Bhikku Basnagoda Rahula) - that means being honest and ethical in business dealings, not to cheat, lie or steal. As people are spending most of the time at work, it’s important to assess how our work affects our mind and heart. So important questions include "How can work become meaningful? How can it be a support not a hindrance to spiritual practice — a place to deepen our awareness and kindness?"

The five types of businesses that should not be undertaken:

1.Business in weapons: trading in all kinds of weapons and instruments for killing.
2.Business in human beings: slave trading, prostitution, or the buying and selling of children or adults.
3.Business in meat: "meat" refers to the bodies of beings after they are killed. This includes breeding animals for slaughter.
4.Business in intoxicants: manufacturing or selling intoxicating drinks or addictive drugs.
5.Business in poison: producing or trading in any kind of poison or a toxic product designed to kill.

The one I found that I have to look out for is work that may involve lying. I am fortunately in that I am working in a profession that is big on integrity and honestly. Maybe not so in certain jobs...

[oldbob]

[quote="vajrahorizon"]As someone whose had an off and on approach to the Dharma over the years I'm wanting to take refuge in the relatively near future when I find a group that really resonates with me.

Over the years I've had a lot of poverty consciousness and depression due to some pretty intense things happening when I was young, my father committed suicide and I was street kid. I really want to make some money but have a decent life as well which involves making some money. What are the approaches of Buddhists to accumulating wealth as a layperson? Are there limits?



You have received many good suggestions here on DW. Really think about these suggestions and take them to heart.

Doing spiritual practice under the guidance of an enlightened Master is your best opportunity to find spiritual happiness.

Having wealth does not prevent happiness or spiritual progress. Having wealth does not cause happiness or spiritual progress.

Addiction to (obsession with) anything does not lead to happiness.

A good book on Happiness is:

http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Guide-D ... =happiness

It is $5 on Amazon or you can get it at your library.


Also so another question... how does one contend with loneliness, isolation guilt and regret?


When these appear you observe them and let them go - remembering that everything changes.

Try to act positively and create the conditions for attracting friends, positive mental states and prosperity.

Get professional help, as appropriate, and possible.

Make positive wishes. Big wishes.

May all sentient beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.

May all sentient beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

May all sentient beings have peace and prosperity and the causes of peace and prosperity.

Whatever good things that sentient beings already enjoy - may this continue and increase.

Take responsibility for yourself. Practice gratitude and generosity.



oldbob

[Wesley1982]

Most likely education will lead to a stable job/career...

[Lhug-Pa]

Do even 50% of college-graduates end up with a career related to their degree?

[tomamundsen]

Life ain't nothin but bitches and money

[Wesley1982]

Do even 50% of college-graduates end up with a career related to their degree?

I imagine most college-graduates accept the job offers that come through the graduate system instead of really taking the time to pursue the specific job they trained for.

[mickeldominic]

As far as im concerned, there are many Buddhists out there who are very wealthy. I guess what is important here is not how wealthy we are but rather how we will spend that amount of wealth. The definition of being wealthy differs for everyone. For me, being wealthy means having enormous amount of Dharma knowledge. That's wealth to me. What about you?

[oldbob]

As far as im concerned, there are many Buddhists out there who are very wealthy. I guess what is important here is not how wealthy we are but rather how we will spend that amount of wealth. The definition of being wealthy differs for everyone. For me, being wealthy means having enormous amount of Dharma knowledge. That's wealth to me. What about you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyYCClHDrmU


BODHI

[Skywalker]

Very good suggestions here. Tonglen is amazing! Do it with sincerity and you will be very surprised.

Loneliness is a very good tool. Everyone has experienced it. But most people avoid loneliness. Rather than avoid it or trying to escape it, when you find that you are feeling lonely, investigate the feeling of loneliness. Go deep into the feeling, don't indulge though, like don't get all emo. Just see where the feeling of loneliness comes from, where it resides, where it returns to.

There is nothing wrong with making money as long as the way in which you acquire it doesn't contradict the 8fold path.

[greentara]

Vajrahorizon, You have had a very difficult past. It would be marvelous if you could find stability in your life and a mentor. Best of all a realized teacher.

Wesly says, "most likely education will lead to a stable job/career..." In this day and age education does not necessarily lead to a good job. The Unis are churning out graduates by the millions thru out Europe and the western world. Where are all these jobs for the countless graduates?!

[lobster]

http://mydzi.blogspot.co.uk/2008/04/five-jambala-dzambhala-and-mantra.html

May all beings have sufficient means